Labour shortages at all skill levels are set to further increase across Europe, with the ageing and shrinking of the population as a main driver. Labour migration could play a critical role in addressing these shortages, fostering growth and innovation, and maintaining European welfare systems, but policies often remain insufficiently adapted to secure needed workers, while employers face significant barriers in recruiting internationally. In addition to immediate labour shortages, future skills needs must also be considered – including needs faced by countries of origin. Against this backdrop, ICMPD’s Policy Unit is analysing labour pathways, talent attraction and retention measures, and skills mobility partnerships to identify promising practices, challenges, and recommendations.
2024
- Policy brief - Mobility and labour dynamics after the EU Year of Skills: Are we fit for the future?
- Policy brief - Expanding the possibilities of working holidays
- Infographic - Expanding the possibilities of working holidays
- Commentary - Realising the opportunities that migration can bring
- Commentary - Europe as a hotspot for global talent – Is it ready?
2023
- Policy brief - Germany’s Western Balkans Regulation: Inspiration for facilitating refugee labour mobility?
- Commentary - Can the EU Talent Pool drive complementary pathways to the EU?
- Policy brief - Tapping displaced talent: Policy options for EU complementary pathways
- Mapping - Complementary labour and education pathways for people in need of protection
- Infographic - Complementary labour pathways
- Infographic - Potential refugee labour pathways to five EU countries
- Commentary - Same but different: Strategies in the global race for talent
2022
- Event takeaways - 5 takeaways on non-EU pathways to protection amid conflict in Ukraine
- Policy brief - Student working holidays as a step towards youth mobility
- Practice note - The missing link: Promoting refugees’ skills-based mobility within Europe
- Blog article - Non-EU Pathways to Protection for Ukrainians: Complementary Pathways Gain Significant Momentum
- Commentary - Tapping into Global Talent -Many returned home during the pandemic – can they be convinced to stay?
2021
- Commentary - Investing in refugee talent
- Policy brief - Networks and mobility: A case for complementary pathways
- Commentary - New players joining international race for talent
- Policy paper - How can Lithuania harness international talent to drive growth?
- Infographic - Attracting international talent to Lithuania
- Handbook - Attracting international talent to Lithuania: International best practices and approaches
- Commentary - Putting the EU Talent Partnerships in Motion
- Commentary - Tapping into Global Talent - New players joining international race for talent
2020
2019
- Commentary - Attract, Facilitate and Retain - Return Migration Policies in the Context of Intra-EU Mobility
- Report - Creating lawful opportunities for adult refugee labour market mobility
- Commentary - Migration policy-making in times of crisis
- Blog article - Refugees and the labour market: the role of skills in facilitating access
- Commentary - Skills based complementary pathways to protection – an area of policy relevance?
2017
- Commentary - Can complementary pathways live up to expectations?